Drug charge woman held in Spain

Rachel Dobson was taken into custody after being stopped at Madrid airport on October 20 allegedly in possession of 13 kilos of cocaine.

Dobson is accused of attempting to smuggle the drugs.

She is currently in the Centro Penitenciario Madrid One prison awaiting trial and if convicted she could face between nine and 15 years in prison.

Dobson, who is believed to be in her 20s, was arrested after arriving in Spain off a flight from Peru, in South America.

She has already spent one birthday, on December 2, behind bars. Her mother Wendy Dobson is now planning to visit her daughter.

Friends have started a Facebook page called The Rachel Dobson Appreciation Group which has attracted 148 members.

Writing on the site Wendy Dobson says: "I want to say thank you to all of Rachel's friends in supporting this group, we are going to see her for the first time on January 17 and I will keep you all informed of how she is doing.

"For now she is thinking of other people in prison and not herself, and she is still being strong."

Gary Wood, who set up the group, described Rachel as a "true and much-loved friend".

He said: ""We are all here to support her through this tough time."

Another supporter, Jenna Richards, added: "I have known Rachel for 16 years and I've never met a better friend than Rachel. I'm still shocked she's not here, she doesn't deserve this."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said: "We can confirm that a British national was arrested on October 20 at Madrid Airport. We are providing consular assistance."

By Shaun Lintern